Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-12-29
CuAPIEI. Nv.

klopps' house three days. Her eyes rested
mournfuly on the beautiful scene before her.
At her side, his shoulder resting upon the
door easement, stood Nat Garvin, looking
thoughtfully down into her face. At length,
seating himself upon the step near her feet,
he said in a low tone:
''You have promised to tell me tho history
of your life. VIII you not do so nowl"
at is sad history" she said; shut will
keep my promise"
He listened attcntvely, and it was some
moments after she had concluded before he
spoke. Then he said;
"You say Warburton was your mothers
maiden name, aud you assumed it for the pur-
pose Of evading your prosecutor; but you
have failed to tell me your own name. Surely
you have no reason for Withholding it from
mel VIII you not tell it to mes"
''My neglect to do so was not Intentional"
she replied. IL have become SO accustomed
10 my assumed name that my own appears
strange to me; my fathers name was Thorn
dyke"
''Thorndykep ' exclaimed Nat, starting per-
ccpiibly; "Rchard ThorndykeW
"Yes," replied Ella, iu establishment 'Did
you know hint"
"No,' he replied.
''rhen how did you discover his given
namc" she asked
~ have heard his name BEFORE" he an
swered.
"WhcreW she asked eagerly.
81 do not remember precisely" he re-
sponded.
His answer did not satisfy her. She looked
ut him sharply. He was lost in thought, and
the expression of his face puzzled her. She
felt satisfied that there was something on his
mind which he did not wish TO tell her
something in some way relating to her father.
Turning toward her, at length he gently said
"Yours has been indeed a life Of sorrow;
yet, you should not give way to despair; for
remember, when all about seems darkest for
tune often stands at the very threshold with
lighted torch, ready to lead us to prosperity
and jor."
~ have struggled hard and hoped" she re.
sponded; "but hope Is deaddead In me for
ever. l have prayed earnestly that my hearts
strings might snap, and its beating cease, but
death would not come Mt my bidding. / was
without shelter, without friend, and sought
rest beneath the river yonder."
'And Heaven sent me to save you, that you
might enjoy the bright days that are in store
for you'll" he exclaimed.
"Alas! / have no hope, she said mourn
fully. at was noble and brave of you to do
what you did; but why did you not let me
die! What have / to look forward tol When
leave this house, where 1 have met with
such kindness, l must begin again my battle
with the heartless world. Oh have not the
courage - the strength - to undertake the
struggle" and burying her face in her hands,
she sobbed piteously.
When she had somewhat regained her COM
posure, he bent forward, and, taking her
hand in his gently, said:
''You cannot tell what Providence has In
store for you, but believe your days of bit
terness are almost past Try aud recall hope
again to your heart, for it is the flashing blade
before which despair and grief take flight or
fall Remember Mo res lines:
Her pr, cous pc M IN sorrows cup
Unmel Cd at the o;tOm lay,
To shine again when, all drunk up,
The bitterness should pass away"
at is easy for poets to WRITE" she said,
''and easier still for those who have never
tasted the bitterness Of sorrow such as mine
to speak hopefully You cannot understand
how despair has eaten away my heart, until
there is none left for hope to feed upon"
IL wish to tell you story" he said abrupt
". ''There once lived in this very city q
young man who through his bad habits
wrecked life of promise. His friends one
by one, turned from him in despair, until at
las: he stood alone, perfect wreck, with no
home but the streets, friendless aud dcsplscd.
He could not bear to remain longer an out
cast In his native city, so he turned toward
| the open country and tramped from place to
| place. He found human nature much the
same, however, among green trees and flow
ers, as 1t was in the busy city he had left.
| The farmer in the country looked upon him
| with the same distrust as the merchant In the
! city. At last Acknowledgements and over
whelming dcsr air-took possession of him,
and he decided to rid himself of his wretchcd
existence. The evening of the very day he
had decided should be his last on earth an
event transpired which turned the whole
course of his life. lie was enabled to go far
away to new land, where success attended
him. He led a better life, and when, after
! five years, he returned to the land Of his
firth lie was rich man, and one capable Of
} feeling pity for and sometimes advising those
he saw about him who were struggling with
! trials and misfortunes."
| Anu yOu huCW dShCu Ellu.
every well, indeed" he replied. "And
! you, too, are acquainted with him. for ut this
very moment you arc looking into his face"
''Youl" she cried, in establishment.
81" he answered. "And now that you
know my story, will you not permit me to ad-
wise youl Bear up a little longcr--bc brave,
and happiness will surely come to you"
81 will try to-" she replied, in n brighter
tone; 81 will try and learn patience from
you"
The air was becoming chilly and damp and,
noticing that she drew the light shawl which
hung ABOUT her shoulders close around her,
he said:
81 see you are growing cold, and / doubt
whether it Is safe for you to expose yourself
to the night air longer in your present condi-
ton.n
81 feel somewhat fatigued," she answered,
"and chilly, and perhaps it would be better
for me to retire / Will strive TO be more
cheerful in token Of my gratitude to you for
your kindness to me. Col bless you! Good.
night"